Young Canadians Drive Surge in Future Parenthood Plans Despite Record Low Fertility

A new report from Statistics Canada reveals a notable shift in Canadians’ attitudes toward having children, with more people especially younger individuals expressing intentions to start or expand families in 2024 compared to previous years.

According to the data, 58 per cent of Canadians without biological children now say they plan to have children at some point, up from 52 per cent in 2021. The most significant increase has been observed among those aged 15 to 24, with nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) expressing a desire to have at least one child an 11-point rise from 53 per cent just three years ago.

The study, which examines trends among Canadians aged 15 to 49, also highlights that younger people tend to envision larger families. On average, individuals aged 15 to 24 reported wanting 2.4 children, compared to 2.0 among those aged 25 to 34 and 1.6 among those aged 35 to 49.

Among Canadians who already have children, one in four said they intend to have more. The increase in family expansion plans was partly driven by young women, whose interest in having children rose from 50 per cent in 2021 to 63 per cent in 2024. Meanwhile, the proportion of young men wanting children remained relatively stable, though they were still more likely than women to express a desire to grow their families.

The report also points to marital status as a key factor. Canadians who have never been married many of whom are under 25 showed a noticeable increase in their plans to have children, rising from 48 per cent in 2021 to 56 per cent in 2024. This group also reported wanting more children on average (2.3) than married individuals (1.8), likely reflecting the fact that many have not yet started families.

Regionally, Ontario has emerged as the province with the highest proportion of residents intending to have children, edging past Quebec. In 2024, 48 per cent of Ontarians expressed plans to have children, compared to 47 per cent in Quebec. British Columbia stood out as the only province where the desired number of children declined, averaging 1.9 per person.

Despite these rising intentions, Canada continues to face what experts describe as “ultra-low fertility.” A separate study indicates that the country’s fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.25 children per woman in 2024. At the same time, more than half (51.1 per cent) of women aged 20 to 49 are not mothers, with delayed childbearing becoming increasingly common.

The average age at which women have their first child has reached 31.8 years, the highest on record. Factors such as higher education levels, increased workforce participation, shifting social norms, and widespread contraceptive use have all contributed to changing family patterns.

Notably, a significant portion of younger women are uncertain or uninterested in motherhood. Among women aged 20 to 29 without children, 31 per cent said they likely do not want children, while 17 per cent remain undecided.

Experts caution that delaying childbirth into later years may increase the risk of age-related infertility, potentially preventing many Canadians from achieving their desired family size.

While the desire to have children appears to be growing particularly among younger generations the gap between intention and reality continues to define Canada’s demographic landscape.